I hope not. However, there may be some plots to make this happen, not necessarily from those two countries.

They both have powerful armies. Iran would most likely enter Afghanistan for resources and control, and focus on Saudi Arabia. It also may attack Israel. Saudi Arabia would have a front line on the focus of Iran, so it would be easier to defend.

Any war between Iran and another Arab state would have Israel fanning the flames - the only reason they haven't attacked Iran themselves is because they would need to overfly Iraq whose airspace is controlled by the US, who are not going to give permission for that.

Let's not forget, the most dangerous nation in the Middle East is Israel - not only because of their aggressive military stance and the fact that they don't respect international law (witness Gaza, Lebanon, etc.) but because they already have nuclear weapons.

At 5/16/2010 11:34:22 AM, brian_eggleston wrote:Any war between Iran and another Arab state would have Israel fanning the flames - the only reason they haven't attacked Iran themselves is because they would need to overfly Iraq whose airspace is controlled by the US, who are not going to give permission for that.

It will probably not last for long. And when the US turns against Iran, it will give permission.

Let's not forget, the most dangerous nation in the Middle East is Israel - not only because of their aggressive military stance and the fact that they don't respect international law (witness Gaza, Lebanon, etc.) but because they already have nuclear weapons.

Yes, currently they are. But Pakistan's nuclear weapons can reach Israel and most of the Middle East.

Iran contains greater amounts of hyperbole than actual military might. Despite their ties with China, Russia, and Venezuela, they know they are ill equipped to do anything other than their usual terrorist sponsored dalliances in foreign strikes.

At 5/16/2010 11:38:07 AM, innomen wrote:Iran contains greater amounts of hyperbole than actual military might. Despite their ties with China, Russia, and Venezuela, they know they are ill equipped to do anything other than their usual terrorist sponsored dalliances in foreign strikes.

It would be a grave mistake if a US or Israeli general thought of Iran this way. Do not underestimate the power of your enemy. Iran is stronger than most people think.

At 5/16/2010 11:38:07 AM, innomen wrote:Iran contains greater amounts of hyperbole than actual military might. Despite their ties with China, Russia, and Venezuela, they know they are ill equipped to do anything other than their usual terrorist sponsored dalliances in foreign strikes.

It would be a grave mistake if a US or Israeli general thought of Iran this way. Do not underestimate the power of your enemy. Iran is stronger than most people think.

Their economy is very weak, their people are very unhappy and their allies are very unreliable. Their military actions would be reckless and futile. To what end? What would their goal be, keeping in mind that a goal needs to be attainable.

At 5/16/2010 11:47:03 AM, innomen wrote:Their economy is very weak, their people are very unhappy and their allies are very unreliable. Their military actions would be reckless and futile. To what end? What would their goal be, keeping in mind that a goal needs to be attainable.

Iran itself is economically powerful. An I doubt their people are unhappy. In any case, such people are ones who would not mind going to war and doing their best.

Their goal can be, as has been mentioned in the beginning of this thread, to create a Great Iran. They can attain it. It would not be hard invading Afghanistan, nor a great part of Iraq. The rest would be quite a challenge.

At 5/16/2010 11:57:28 AM, Mirza wrote:They can blow India up and still have some nuclear weapons left. Why would they not use it for Israel to help their friends? They certainly would if there was a war in the Middle East.

How would they have weapons left over? India is kind of a big place, and they have nuclear weapons as well. The more nukes Pakistan has, the more the deterrent exists. That's how the game is played.

And what friends? Pakistan's hardly a country with political interest in the Middle East. The Taliban, maybe, but they're still regionalists above all else. Al-Qaeda, sure, but they won't take control of the country, or at least a country with a handle on its own nuclear arsenal. Just because Pakistan is Muslim doesn't mean they want to romp about with the Sauds and Syrians in destroying Israel.

India could consider bombing China before it goes in a history book along with Pakistan.

Why? China is an economic rival, not a military one, not even an historical one; Pakistan is all three wrapped into a highly paranoid military.

With the usage of nuclear weapons, the entire world would be affected. That is why the Middle East may not be free from Pakistan's bombs.

That's a situation with only assumptions. Sure, maybe Pakistan could get involved, but nothing in the current world situation is pointing to it. Those missiles are aimed at New Delhi, not Jerusalem.

At 5/16/2010 12:03:54 PM, Volkov wrote:How would they have weapons left over? India is kind of a big place, and they have nuclear weapons as well. The more nukes Pakistan has, the more the deterrent exists. That's how the game is played.

Just 10 modern nuclear weapons being dropped on India can destroy the country somehow. There would be lack of food, climate change in some areas, and whatnot. It is not unrealistic to spare some on Israel.

And what friends? Pakistan's hardly a country with political interest in the Middle East. The Taliban, maybe, but they're still regionalists above all else. Al-Qaeda, sure, but they won't take control of the country, or at least a country with a handle on its own nuclear arsenal. Just because Pakistan is Muslim doesn't mean they want to romp about with the Sauds and Syrians in destroying Israel.

No, but if the world turns against Islamic nations specifically, why would Pakistan not be involved?

Why? China is an economic rival, not a military one, not even an historical one; Pakistan is all three wrapped into a highly paranoid military.

Pakistan and China are allies.

That's a situation with only assumptions. Sure, maybe Pakistan could get involved, but nothing in the current world situation is pointing to it. Those missiles are aimed at New Delhi, not Jerusalem.

We are also talking about something more related to the future, not present.

At 5/16/2010 12:20:28 PM, Mirza wrote:Just 10 modern nuclear weapons being dropped on India can destroy the country somehow. There would be lack of food, climate change in some areas, and whatnot. It is not unrealistic to spare some on Israel.

First off, Pakistan's nukes =/= US nukes. The technology is old and not as effective as US weaponry.

Secondly, India has nuclear weapons. Why would Pakistan let go of its own arsenal when its enemy clearly has every ability to fight back?

No, but if the world turns against Islamic nations specifically, why would Pakistan not be involved?

If someone targets Pakistan? Sure, but that's different If a regional war flares up in the Middle East, Pakistan won't care. They might send some supplies to whoever they favour, but not nuclear weapons. Those are precious things.

Pakistan and China are allies.

When did this happen?

We are also talking about something more related to the future, not present.

But it's a future that doesn't make any sense. You're better off to call it an academic exercise, because the current facts on the ground - which do affect the future - don't fit.

At 5/16/2010 12:41:21 PM, Volkov wrote:First off, Pakistan's nukes =/= US nukes. The technology is old and not as effective as US weaponry.

Secondly, India has nuclear weapons. Why would Pakistan let go of its own arsenal when its enemy clearly has every ability to fight back?

If it can successfully bomb most of India, and if it has nukes left, it can also bomb Israel in any necessary case.

If someone targets Pakistan? Sure, but that's different If a regional war flares up in the Middle East, Pakistan won't care. They might send some supplies to whoever they favour, but not nuclear weapons. Those are precious things.

A big war in the Middle East will hardly be a war of the Middle East alone nowadays.

When did this happen?

I do not know exactly when. The term "ally" can be speculative, but they have very good ties.

But it's a future that doesn't make any sense. You're better off to call it an academic exercise, because the current facts on the ground - which do affect the future - don't fit.

It does make sense. what happens in the Middle East is linked to the rest of the world. We have a Jewish state, several Muslim states. We have allies of the West, allies of the East. It is hardly going to be regional if it is going to be something like an all-out war.